Senator Sherrod Brown

WASHINGTON, DC – United States Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced new legislation to protect the structural integrity of Ohio bridges by preventing and addressing corrosion. Brown’s Bridge Life Extension Act of 2009 is companion legislation to H.R. 1682 introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Michael Conaway (R-TX).

“We must act now to protect Ohio motorists,” Brown said. “Requiring corrosion prevention plans is a common-sense step toward safe and sustainable infrastructure. We also need to develop and install new anti-corrosion technologies. This bill will create new jobs while protecting American infrastructure and taxpayer dollars in the long run.”
Corrosion on bridges commonly occurs when the moisture from the concrete bridge deck affects the steel reinforcement bar and structural components on bridges. As corrosion weakens the metal,  it puts additional pressure on the concrete and compromises the structural soundness of the bridge. Brown’s Bridge Life Extension Act of 2009 would require states to develop and implement corrosion mitigation and prevention plans for in order to receive federal funds to build, modify, or renovate bridges.

A study conducted by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 2002 found that corrosion costs taxpayers $276 billion per year, including $8.3 billion in costs due to bridge corrosion. This translates into more than $330 billion in total corrosion costs and almost $10 billion in bridge corrosion costs in 2008.  In addition, The Ohio Department of Transportation recently reported that the current cost to repair corrosion on Ohio’s bridges exceeds $4 billion. The same FHWA study, however, also concludes that these costs can be reduced by one third if already existing corrosion prevention technologies are applied to bridges and substructures.

Brown has led the fight in Congress to ensure the safety of Ohio bridges and infrastructure. Brown recently secured $2,000,000 for the University of Akron to create corrosion-specific, accredited engineering degrees that will provide an industry-accredited workforce certification program. The program will continue to position Ohio at the forefront of corrosion prevention and mitigation technology innovation.

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